Wood Safeway Gate

We chose this gate over a pressure-mounted gate, even though we weren't using it at a stairway. We're using it to block a high-traffic hallway and didn't want to have the bar running across the bottom (read: trip hazard!) that pressure-mounted gates have.

This gate is expensive in comparison to some others, but well worth it when you consider the ease of installation and how smoothly it opens and closes. If you're going to be using a gate for years, it's worth the extra money.


Over Protective Mother   November 5, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

This gate is wonderful! Very sturdy and safe. I don't feel like I have to watch my little one as close when he is near the stairs. The Install is a bit overwhelming. But we found if you don't use the stencils and install one side at a time and measure from there, it makes it alot easier. I would buy another one if needed. It's worth the money. You get what you pay for.


Great gate, but a little tricky on the installation!   September 16, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

We're using this gate at the top of our staircase and it's very sturdy and looks great! The installation is a bit tricky if your walls or posts aren't level. I suggest not drilling the holes all at once... screw in one side and figure out where the other side should go. If you just go by the templates, you could be up to an inch off!


nice gate, but be careful about the advertised width   November 29, 2001
27 out of 27 found this review helpful

This is an effective and well-made gate. I bought it with two mounting kits to mount at the top of stairs, between dry wall and a metal railing. After installation the gate is rigid, and opens easily and smoothly with one hand. However, there are some caveats: It turns out that to mount to a metal railing in the recommended way you need two mounting kits for one railing (you're supposed to clamp the railing between each batten supplied with a kit), i.e., if you're mounting between two railings you'd need 4 kits - this is not apparent until you read the instructions.
Installation of this gate in conjunction with a mounting kit is non-trivial - it took me several hours of reading the instructions, careful measurement, drilling, mounting and adjusting.
My biggest concern is that the advertised maximum width that this gate can accomodate is 43". I had a 42" opening, and found that it is impossible to mount the gate and still follow the instructions in how the two parts should overlap. I ended up with 3/4 of the recommended overlap. It still seems pretty strong, but if you have a strong child who's going to stress the gate then perhaps it is unwise to use it in an opening this wide.